Brassiere



Patented Sept. ii, 193? warren srares rarest @FFEQE MARTHA. W. MEEKS AND ANNE 0. ALT, OF COMPTON, CALIFORNIA BRASSIERE Application filed May 14, 1928. Serial No. 277,480.

This invention relates to brassieres, and particularly to a form of brassiere which is so constructed as to properly hold the breasts in position at all times, and to maintain a proper position of the breasts regardless of position assumed by the wearer.

An object of the invention is theprovision of a brassiere which will hold the breasts in place, and will not allow the breasts to w slip either over or under said brassire.

Another object is the provision of a brassire which will hold its shape regardless of laundering.

Another object is the provision of a brassiere so constructed and arranged as to prop erly hold breasts which have broken muscles or in which the breasts are not maintained in proper position due to soft, flabby flesh.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere which will not chafe the skin and inwhich the breasts are at all times maintained in such a position as to give a solid, firm and shapely appearance.

Other objects will appear as the specification proceeds, among which objects is the provision of a brassiere which is simple of construction, easy to manufacture, and generally superior in use and serviceability.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association and inter-relation of parts, members and features, all as shown in certain embodiments in the accompanying drawings, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevation of a brassiere embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the brassiere shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the brassiere shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in position upon a user thereof, and

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a modifiedform of brassiere.

Referring now with particularity to the drawings, the brassiere shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is designated as an entirety by A,

and the brassiere' shown in Figure 4; by B.

.The said brassire A includes a bust strap or piece 01 provided with form-fitting breast members I), and likewise provided with quick detachable means 0 whereby the member a may be secured about the breast of a user, and shoulder straps d. The invention more particularly has to do with the form-fitting breast members I) which are preferably formed from some non-stretchable or substantally nonstretchable fabric and which are cup-like in appearance. These members 6 are secured in any approved manner to the breast piece a such as by stitching or the lilre, as indicated at 1. The piece a is formed with openings 2 and the member 1) provides cups having larger dimensions than the dimensions of the openings 2. This construction is shown in Figure 2, wherein it will be seen that the line of stitching 1 includes a greater area than the area of the opening 2. The members I) may be constructed in a varlety of manners, such as by shaping the cups to form by cutting the fabric and stitching the same, as indicated at 3, 4, and 5, so that a form-fitting member results, as shown in Figure 3 at 6. These cups may be constructed in various sizes, in accordance, with the requirements of a user.

It is particularly to be noted that the construction is such that there is what may be termed an overlapping flange as between an opening 2 and the line of stitching l of the cup, as illustrated at 7. This so-called flange plays a very important function in the accomplishing of certain objects of the invention, namely, the maintaining in position of the breasts and preventing the breasts from escaping from the cups. The straps d are used in the ordinary manner for holding the brassiere in position,'and the means 0 may constitute hooks and eyes for securing the bust piece upon the user. Likewise elastics may be provided at one end of the piece a as shown at8, so that a certain amount of flexibility is provided for the bust piece. This, of course, is necessary due to movement of the body, such as in breathing.

Attention is directed to the fact that the cups present smooth exterior and interior surfaces and that the cups are not formed by merely shirring end portions thereof which at best would make the construction very clumsy and uncomfortable to a wearer as well as not presenting a satisfactory ap- 5 pearance. An object of the invention is to so form the cups as to all intents and purposes give an outward appearance through the clothes of not providing any means for sustaining the breasts in position. By properly form-fitting the cups to the breasts in accordance with this invention, one of the objects of the invention is secured. Furthermore, the cups preferably are not formed of material which is readily stretchable and this feature also aids in the accomplishment of the object just stated.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 4 and designated as B differs only in the fact that the cups are not given a curved outline, as shown in Figure 1, and the resultant appearance of the cups in actual use is substantially that shown in Figure 3. In Figure 4, the cups are provided with triangular cut-out portions and then secured by triangular pieces sewed therein in such a manner as to give a cupped appearance which is form-fitting for the breasts, as shown at 9 and 10. The cups which are here designated as e overlap the margin of the openings 2 of the breast piece a, as in the form A. v

The brassiere may be ornamented as may be desired. As before, the cups e are preferably formed of some nonstretchable material.

Itisobvious that various changes as to cup-shape and form may be resorted to in practicing the invention in departure from the particular showing and the description I as given, without in any manner departing from the true spirit of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A brassiere comprising a fabric body encircling band formed with substantially circularly-shaped breast receiving openings, breast supporting fabric cups stitched to said band entirely around ,said openings and at points spaced outward from the side and bottom edges of said openings whereby the marginal portions of the body at the sides and bottoms of the openings constitute flesh engaging flange elements, the stitching joining the cups to the band being spaced greater d stances from the bottom edges of the open ngs than from the side edges of the openings and greater distances from the outer slde edges of the openings than from the inner side edges thereof, respectively.

6 In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification at Los Angeles,

California, this 1st day of May, 1928.

' MARTHA W. MEEKS.

5 ANNE C. ALT. 

